Water leaks at elementary school could cost $66,000

Various water leaks at one of Palmerton Area School District's elementary schools could cost over $66,000 to repair.

Dave Rodrigues, director of district facilities, discussed the matter with the school board's Buildings and Grounds Committee on Tuesday.

Rodrigues said there is a major concern over the water leaks into the Parkside Education Center, which he said could cost $66,550.

The work is broken down into several components, the most crucial of which would cost $20,300, Rodrigues said.

That component would repair the joints in the galvanized metal roof ledge that extends beyond the parapet wall, recoat the roof ledge, clean the brick on the parapet wall and apply waterproofing, and recaulk counter flashing along the brick at the roof ledge.

Other aspects of the work would be to rake and recaulk all limestone below the roof ledge by the parapet wall ($5,100); rake and recaulk all windows and doors ($24,500); and clean brick and apply waterproof material below the roof ledge by the parapet wall and repoint about 100-square-feet of masonry joints ($16,650).

Committee member Tina Snyder asked how long the building has been leaking.

Superintendent Carol Boyce said the matter has been a problem since the district first occupied the building several years ago.

"Since we've been in the building," Boyce said. "This is work that was not included in with this contract."

Committee member Carl Bieling said he was frustrated with the situation, and added that it should be the contractor's responsibility to pay for the leaks.

"That has nothing to do with cost-cutting; that's a screwup," Bieling said. "If it's leaking, there's a problem for whatever contractor was here."

Boyce told Bieling the situation needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

"We have water coming in; it needs to be fixed," she said. "Otherwise, we're going to have a building rotting around us."

Committee member Carol Dwyer said she didn't recall such a conversation ever being held.

"I don't remember us every saying not to do any of those things," Dwyer said. "I don't remember that ever being discussed with the board."

Also on Tuesday, Rodrigues informed the committee that the railings outside the Parkside building are failing.

He said the joints have failed, the metal has burst, and the painting on the previous repairs doesn't match.

Rodrigues was then asked to come up with a prioritized list of projects that need to be done in time for next month's workshop.

Finally, the committee agreed to meet for a building tour at 12:15 April 25.

The tour is for all board members; specifically new board members, who would like to take a tour of the buildings throughout the district.